Bitesize Prediction: Clermont vs Lille – 10/12/23

Mauricio Pochettino has suggested it will take another four years to develop a winning mentality at Tottenham – even if he is not the man in charge.

Spurs hopes of a first trophy since 2008 were ended for another year on Saturday, as Manchester United came from behind to beat them 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Midfielder Dele Alli, who broke the deadlock before Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera turned the match around, claimed afterwards that his side must learn to see out key games against top opposition.

But Pochettino, who took over as manager four years ago, thinks it will take the same time again to cement Spurs place as a consistent challenger for honours and even suggested it could fall to another manager to continue the work.

 A bitt…

Cheltenham equalled the record for the most consecutive games without scoring in the Football League as Tuesday night’s 2-0 loss to Fleetwood extended their run to 11.

Coventry in 1919-20 and Hartlepool in 1992-93 also went 11 games without scoring and here, the PA news agency looks at the longest scoreless runs and how the Robins compare.

Cheltenham not at the races

Junior Quitirna and Jack Marriott scored Fleetwood’s goals as Cheltenham had veteran defender Curtis Davies sent off on their way to another unwanted record.

Their nine-game drought up to September 23’s 3-0 defeat to Stevenage was already the longest from the start of a Football League season, beating Halifax Town’s eight in 1990-91. Last Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Lincoln extended that before…

Eddie Howe knows Newcastle United still have work to do to catch Manchester City but believes there is no longer a real gap between the teams.

Newcastle were beaten 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, a 14th consecutive Premier League defeat at a stadium where they have never won in the top flight.

But Howe s side – who drew 3-3 with City at home – had their chances, most notably through Callum Wilson and Joelinton, who both miscued in front of goal.

In the eyes of the Newcastle coach, it was a far cry from their visit last May, when City ran out 5-0 winners.

City also beat Newcastle 4-0 at St James Park less than a month into Howe s tenure in December 2021.

There are things for us to reflect on, minimal chances for them today, Howe said a…

Iker Casillas has denied fresh reports he is retiring from football after he suffered a heart attack during training with Porto last month.

The Real Madrid and Spain great had a myocardial infarction on May 1 and underwent emergency surgery before returning home five days later.

Reports in Portugal claimed Casillas will announce his retirement on Thursday, with the goalkeeper said to be taking up a role on Porto s board of directors.

But the 38-year-old indicated the media have jumped the gun, because he is yet to be told by medical experts whether he has recovered enough to play football again.

The same as this tweet a month ago, except for the part of the medical check with the doctor, Casillas wrote on Twitter, referencing a previous retirement deni…

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is concerned about the club s growing injury list after defender Martin Kelly was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Kelly, who was making his 100th appearance for the club, limped off shortly before half-time in Sunday s Premier League draw at home to relegation rivals Newcastle United.

The Eagles are already missing a host of first-team players, with Scott Dann, Jason Puncheon and in-form forward Bakary Sako ruled out for the rest of the season.

Mamadou Sakho returned from injury to replace Kelly as Palace came from behind to claim a point against Newcastle, but Hodgson remains frustrated.

It s very annoying because we ve worked hard to avoid muscle injuries, Hodgson told reporters. That came about because of a foul �…

Jonas Hofmann s header sent holders Bayer Leverkusen through in the DFB-Pokal.

Leverkusen kick-started their Bundesliga campaign with a last-gasp win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday, and though matters were more comfortable against lower-league Jena on Wednesday, Xabi Alonso s team had to settle for a 1-0 win.

Hofmann got the decisive goal in the 52nd minute, heading home from Alex Grimaldo s delivery.

Leverkusen finished with 16 shots and an expected goals (xG) of 1.31, though Jena did muster 1.04 xG from just six attempts, with Hamza Muqaj squandering their best chance of the game.

Data Debrief: Heads up

Hofmann has had a fantastic career, plying his trade for Leverkusen, Gladbach and Borussia Dortmund.

Yet incredibly, his goal o…

According to a recent report from Sky Sports News, AC Milan have made an approach for Nottingham Forest defender Matty Cash, with an aim to put forward a bid in the January transfer window. 

The youngster has enjoyed a strong campaign for the East Midlands side up to this point as they continue to go in search of promotion back to the Premier League. Now, though, Forest are under pressure from bigger clubs to sell as we get closer and closer to the end of the window. 

Alongside AC Milan, Southampton are also very interested in the prospect of bringing Cash on. They are also looking at Kyle Walker-Peters from Tottenham who is set to go out on loan, but their primary target is still said to be Matty Cash. 

For the next nine days, it certainly seems as if Forest…

Barcelona have confirmed the sacking of the club s under-19 coach Victor Valdes.

Former goalkeeper Valdes was appointed to the role in July but lasted only three months in charge of the Juvenil A team.

Valdes reportedly clashed with former Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert, who is now in charge of La Masia, prior to his departure.

Although Barca s U-19s are sitting in second place behind Real Zaragoza in the league, they lost their opening two UEFA Youth League fixtures to Borussia Dortmund and Inter under Valdes leadership.

Barcelona have informed Victor Valdes on Monday that he is no longer U19A coach and no longer employed by the club, said a brief club statement. 

The 37-year-old won the 2010 World Cup with Spain and a raft of honours at Ba…